Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
Hey everyone! I’m Amy, from over at Fruit Salad Life. I want to cover something that I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. It's so easy to get wrapped up in extremes when you're on a quest to lose weight and get fit (finally!). We've all been there. Starting Monday, you're going to run 4 days a week, do yoga 3 days a week, go to 2 spinning classes, eat zero carbs, drink 10 glasses of water a day, get 8 hours of sleep, and be the happiest, healthiest, and fittest that you've ever been!
I can't even begin to count the number of times I've written plans like this down. The plan would be incredibly rigid, and if I slacked off a bit, more often than not I'd completely throw in the towel. The first time I consciously remember doing this was the summer before sophomore year of high school when I would bring measly lunches of Triscuits and hummus to my job as a camp counselor.
My quirky plans increased with my income. I fell into a costly Kombucha-a-day habit, joined a fancy gym and obsessively took classes twice a day, and stuck to a strict shopping list at Whole Foods.
I drank a daily concoction of water and apple cider vinegar. When that fizzled out, I moved on to warm lemon juice every morning in order to "alkalize my body." I've forced myself to eat vegetables that I hated in order to reap the nutritional benefits. I cut out white foods, cut out carbs, cut out meat and dairy.
Then, I moved to San Francisco.
Maybe it was being so far from home, or maybe it was the shock of living in such a healthy city. Seriously, it was really hard to find an overweight person in SF…people in general are incredibly fit there! It was as if I had a clean slate, and everything from then on could be fresh and new. I started walking everywhere. Granted, a lot of this was hitting the pavement trying to find a job. I allowed myself to try In-N-Out and not feel guilty about it.
I joined a gym, but instead of building my life around classes, I scheduled classes around my life. There was a complete change in my approach to health and fitness. I started running consistently, and completed a half-marathon in November of 2010.
Gradually, my old weird health quirks started to fade away. I still get excited about health and fitness fads, but I've learned to take things with a grain of salt. I've replaced my former extremes with moderation. And you know what? I've never in my life been happier.
Moving to San Francisco was one of the best things to happen to me! It was the shock that my system needed to snap out of my crazy-obsessive way of thinking. We've all gone a little diet/workout crazy in our quest to better ourselves, but I think that everyone eventually has an AHA! moment. There is nopanacea for health. I'd always be looking for that cure-all, but when it comes down to it…the only thing that really, truly works for the long run is moderation and common sense.
Where am I now? I just recently moved to NYC, and my resolve has never been stronger. I'm making a conscious effort to cook more, finally stick to a manageable workout plan, and explore every inch of this incredible city…
…all while indulging without guilt
Thanks so much Amy! Everyone be sure to check out her blog and twitter!
Getting wrapped up in extremes? Yeah, I've been there. I'm trying to calm my nerves and live healthfully without trying so hard. I'm moving to San Francisco in a few months and I'm concerned that I'll get wrapped up in all of the additional activities that are available to me. Hopefully I can learn moderation like you did, we shall see.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story and how you overcame the extremes! Hope you are loving New York, please go eat a Levain cookie for me. :)
Oh my gosh, you'll LOVE san francisco!! it's such a great city. feel free to ask me any questions about stuff out there! do you know where you'll be living?? :)
ReplyDeleteYeah...I've tried the extreme thing! It did work, I'll give it that, until I burned out and ended up back where I started. It's really great that you're committing to balance. Have fun in NYC! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great :) I'm going to be moving to Austin soon-- in a matter of weeks! I think it's EXACTLY what my mind and body need!!! I need to be surrounded by people making healthy decisions and being active! I don't need that, but it's MUCH more motivating! Now i just need to find a job!
ReplyDeleteOMGosh, it's so true, getting wrapped up in extremes.... I missed out on so much time with my friends and living my life.
ReplyDeleteI keep telling myself that it has taken me over 20 years to get this heavy, it's NOT going to come off over night. This road is going to have hills, it's ups and it's downs
We've only got one life to live, and I am going to enjoy my life and all the experiences in this life, just try to make the best/healthiest choice that I can.
Such a great post! I can't wait to indulge guilt free. :D I'm getting there baby steps I tellya!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up and thank you Amy for sharing her story with us!
What a great post! I love it...such an illustration of how those around us and our environment can support us!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching the new show Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition
(Monday nights on ABC at 10pm/9c) for some inspiration lately...talk about extremes! Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/create.php
Thanks for this post...I take inspiration where ever I can get it!